As Somalia progresses toward self-reliance and sustainability in national security, the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) remains significant. Over the past year, approximately 600 IEDs have caused around 1,500 casualties, severely impacting local communities and national armed forces.
The Somali National Army (SNA), supported by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), is leading efforts to combat this persistent IED threat.
“The seriousness of this threat is well understood here. The primary targets are your fellow SNA soldiers. It is vital that we find a solution,” stated James Swan, the UN Acting Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, during the launch of a month-long ‘train-the-trainer’ course aimed at enhancing the SNA’s capabilities in countering IEDs.
Many attendees at the training have firsthand experience of the dangers faced by soldiers.
“We faced numerous threats, including enemy blockades and remote-controlled IEDs, leading to the loss of many comrades,” recalled Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Mohamud Awale, reflecting on his operational experience in the Hiraan and Galgaduud regions.
Colonel Faisal Ali Noor shared his haunting memories of IED incidents: “At times, IEDs detonated while we were digging, resulting in casualties. Our limited knowledge even led us to use fire to attempt to defuse them, which caused more fatalities.”
The statistics are alarming: in 2023 alone, the SNA reported 378 deaths and 451 injuries due to IEDs, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by both military personnel and civilians.
As Somalia strives to take full responsibility for its security, training initiatives like the one beginning today in Mogadishu aim to better equip national forces through comprehensive training, mentoring, and hands-on experience.